Episcopal Diocese of Washington

06/08/2026

How cool is this? 😍

We’re still excited about the publicity and public awareness surrounding the discovery of an early draft of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail here at VTS.

This article, “An Early Draft of a Famous Letter from Martin Luther King Jr. Was Recently Discovered by an Intern,” is definitely worth the read.

Read more here:
https://www.wvtf.org/news/2026-06-04/an-early-draft-of-a-famous-letter-from-martin-luther-king-jr-was-recently-discovered-by-an-intern

06/07/2026

🙏 A Prayer for the Season after Pentecost

Abram simply got up and went, leaving behind everything familiar on the strength of God’s promise alone. His leap of faith echoes throughout Scripture as a reminder that God’s grace is not earned but received through trust.

In this season after Pentecost, we encounter that same life-giving grace in Jesus Christ, who calls the unexpected, welcomes those on the margins, heals the wounded, and brings hope where there seems to be none. He came not for the righteous, but for those who know their need of God’s mercy and love.

May we be inspired by Abram’s faith, strengthened by God’s promises, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to follow Christ wherever he leads—trusting that God is still bringing life out of impossible situations and calling new possibilities into being.

06/06/2026

Communicators, storytellers, digital strategists, parish admins, clergy, creatives, and anyone carrying the work of church communications: this gathering is for you.

The 2026 Episcopal Communicators Virtual Conference takes place June 22–25 on Zoom and brings together colleagues from across the church for four days of learning, conversation, and inspiration focused on:

✨ Storytelling
✨ Branding & digital strategy
✨ Public witness
✨ Communications best practices
✨ Emerging trends and timeless fundamentals

Each day centers on a different theme, featuring expert-led sessions and breakout conversations designed to help participants deepen skills, share ideas, and build connections across the wider church.
Whether communications is your full-time ministry or simply one of the many hats you wear, you belong in this space.

Registration and conference information:
https://episcopalcommunicators.org/Virtual-Conference

06/04/2026

In the Diocesan Bulletin this week, we:

💗 Equip congregations for annual giving season with new stewardship resources and training opportunities,

✝️ Reflect on an evening with Canon Stephanie Spellers and Bishop Mariann Budde exploring where God may be leading the Church next, and

💻 Invite congregations to strengthen ministries of hospitality and connection through their websites.

https://conta.cc/3S4Q4ZI

Email from Episcopal Diocese of Washington Exploring the Future Church — In Community and Online |   Drawing on the gifts of all God's people to serve Christ together and live Jesus' Way of Love. Come

06/02/2026

🙏 Cycle of Prayer | The Second Sunday after Pentecost

This week, we pray that our outreach ministries may be rooted not only in service, but also in sharing Christ’s love through relationship, companionship, and advocacy. May we be signs of God’s presence in our communities and faithful witnesses to the Gospel.

Today we pray for:

⛪ St. Columba’s Church, DC
🎒 St. Columba’s Nursery School, DC
🤟 St. Barnabas’ Church of the Deaf
⛪ St. Barnabas’ Church, Leeland
⛪ St. Barnabas’ Church, Temple Hills

🙏 Diocesan congregations and individuals are invited to join in praying for all churches and ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington through the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer.

Learn more: edow.org/congregational-resources/worship/cycle-of-prayer/

05/28/2026

With the media coverage of Pope Leo’s first encyclical, Magnicifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in a Time of Artificial Intelligence, we might assume that we know what he says without reading the text ourselves. I confess to wondering if I had the energy to take it on, but the opening paragraph drew me in:

Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together. Each generation inherits the task of shaping its own era, of guiding history to become a place where the dignity of every person is safeguarded, justice is promoted and fraternity is made possible. Yet every era also runs the risk of creating an inhumane and more unjust world. Whenever humanity is in danger of marring its true identity, we Christians lift our eyes to the Incarnate God, knowing that it is only in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of humanity truly becomes clear.

✝️ Continue reading Bishop Mariann's reflection:
https://conta.cc/4aeFvcG

Email from Episcopal Diocese of Washington Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness." Genesis 1:26 | Magnifica Humanitas Then God said, "Let us make humankind in o

05/27/2026

On May 9, 135 people from across the Episcopal Diocese of Washington gathered at Washington National Cathedral for confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation — a joyful witness to faith, community, and the Spirit at work among us.

View photos from the service and read Bishop Mariann Budde’s full sermon at edow.org.

05/24/2026

🔥 On this day, the Spirit is poured out, opening the way of life to every people and every place. The breath of God fills the Church, sending us out to proclaim, to serve, and to love in ways that renew the world.

We pray that this gift may be kindled in us again, that we may share in the life of the Holy Spirit and bear it to the ends of the earth.

“Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit…”

May the fire of Pentecost continue to guide and sustain us in the work of the Gospel.

05/21/2026

In the Diocesan Bulletin this week, we:

🌈 Share reflections from members of the diocesan LGBTQ+ community in anticipation of Pride Month,
🌟 Highlight the thriving ministries of the Episcopal Church Women, and
📸 Celebrate the recent diocesan confirmation service in photos.

https://conta.cc/49giGFn

Email from Episcopal Diocese of Washington Spotlight on Episcopal Church Women | Diocesan Confirmation in Photos |   Drawing on the gifts of all God's people to serve Christ together and live Jesus' W

05/19/2026

🙏 We give thanks for faithful ministry, celebrate new beginnings, and share the following transitions on the diocesan staff this spring. 🌿

https://conta.cc/3PfA3zk

Email from Episcopal Diocese of Washington For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Isaiah 43:19 Staff Transtions—Spring 2026 For I am about to do something new. See, I have alr